Esha Chhabra: Try ditching the frenzy of life in favor of the mundane

We live in a world that stresses goals, deadlines, defining points in one's career.

We connect work to success, identity to profession. We reward super-busy activity — even if it's not productive. Honestly, how many meetings actually yield results?

But for the new year, I'm thinking of another approach: to be.

After the holidays, one of my colleagues said to me, "I'm trying really hard to just sit and do nothing from time to time. But I'm failing miserably."

I smiled at her genuine attempt. It's hard for those who are inclined to work, work, work to just be.

Of course, the art of being is distinct from just being a sluggish sloth, stationed at Starbucks, eating endless scones without a care in the world.

But for all those who are frenzied by life, frenzied by the pace of activity, frenzied by their schedules, try just being some days.

That means (aside from the obvious responsibilities of family and life) be content in doing nothing, being content in schedules going awry, be content in not having a list of tasks to complete, be content in simply being a part of nature.

Picasso allegedly said, "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."

In other words, to bring back life to a mundane existence of repetition.

But that art doesn't have to be a watercolor masterpiece or a new yoga pose. It can simply mean staring at the mountains, seeing the mishmash of people in a cafe or reading a book.

That same colleague said to me, "You know, I remember when we would just go to each other's homes and spend time milling about in the house, finding bits and bobs to keep us entertained. There was none of this finding an activity, or scheduling an event to go to. It was just enough to be in each other's company."

She then joked: "And it was a lot cheaper."

It's true, though. There's still a lot to enjoy on this Earth that doesn't come in a Groupon package. But it's up to us to enjoy the simplicity of it — like mapping the sky, playing a game of charades or even having silly conversation with your friends for a laugh.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the teachings encourage you to "rest in the nature of mind." That is to take comfort in the silence of your own mind. It doesn't need to be buzzing with activity always. And silence, in modernity, doesn't suggest a puritan-like existence.

It merely means — to be in your thoughts, in the company of your friends, in the presence of your surroundings.

But the irony of much of this is that we have to unlearn, unwire ourselves — no need for an orderly existence of planning, scheduling and moving steadily up a ladder of achievements.

Rather the achievements can be experiences — what will you experience this year?